"The schools now have a solid base off adventure racing athletes and we had to choose this final team of eight from around 100 students - many of whom are at the same level and forced the top team to train hard and smart."
The two schools have won four of the 12 events since its inception in 2006.
The final selection of competitors included Felix Tasker-Erceg, John Magrath, Mac Rivers, Caleb Williamson, Adyn Dudley, Alysha Donovan, Philippa Croft and Jemma Petty.
The team played to their strengths and enjoyed a well earned win on the final expedition day of the five day race, top scoring on the Rogaine (a points-based large scale Orienteering) and covered 33km with almost 2km of vertical gain.
The special stages of the race test the teams' ability to work together and problem solve during a series of outdoor related challenges, including high ropes and skill kayaking.
Harris said the equality within the unit was a major key to their success.
"This team was incredibly equal in regards to fitness, there was no weak member and the team could push extremely hard because of this," he said.
"They had clear structures in place in order to make decisions under pressure and had clearly defined roles which they all executed perfectly.
"The team navigators, and the rest of the team have been working hard with the Whangarei orienteering club as well as senior adventure racing students to improve their skills.
"It really was an inspiration to witness a team show such compassion, empathy and respect for each other, while being ruthless in the competition.
"Not a negative word was said, and they were 100 per cent dedicated to training over the past 9 months, meaning they had a clear idea of the teams strengths and weaknesses."
Adventure racing is a growing sport in New Zealand with major races holding hefty winners prize tags.
Northland has held events such as the Moa Hunt, Operation Ruru and the Pukeko Stomp.
